Stan Winston Studios Takes You Behind-The-Scenes of The Original PREDATOR in Cool Video

Here’s a really cool video for you to watch from Stan Winston Studios that takes you behind-the-scenes of the classic 1987 John McTiernan-directed sci-fi action film, Predator. The video specifically takes us through the process of the creation of the deadly alien hunter.

The video includes footage, photos, concept art, and sculptures of the creature and its evolution. Stan Winston Studios was hired to design the Predator costume after Boss Film Studios created a suit that was impossible for the filmmakers to use. That was the suit that Jean-Claude Van Damme wore during production.

The inspiration for the Predator design came from a piece of artwork in producer Joel Silver’s office, a painting of an otherworldly Rastafarian warrior. Winston said: “I saw that and I thought it was a great starting concept for the Predator. I started drawing and redesigning this alien character with quills that in silhouette would look like dreadlocks. During this same period of time, Aliens had come out, and Jim Cameron and I were flying to Japan to participate in a symposium about the movie. We were sitting next to each other on the plane, and I was sketching and drawing the Predator."

“Jim suddenly said, ‘You know, I’ve always wanted to see something with mandibles.’ And I said, ‘Hmm, that’s an interesting idea.’ And I started drawing the now-famous mandibles of the Predator. So, between the Rastafarian painting in Joel Silver’s office and the mandible idea from Jim Cameron, I came up with ‘Stan Winston’s Predator’. And I take complete credit for it, even though I had nothing to do with it, obviously!”

Check out the behind the scenes video below.